Malawi can count on ‘reliable’ China for economic independence- Foreign Minister

As Malawi is facing slowing economy with commodities tanking due to continued aid freeze by Western donors,  China has given the southern African nation an assurance that it is “realiable” and “ideal” partner  committed to funding key infrastructure developments.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) and Malawi Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda attend a press conference after their meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi on Jan. 31, 2016. [Photo Xinhua]
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) and Malawi Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda attend a press conference after their meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi on Jan. 31, 2016. [Photo Xinhua]
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who visited Malawi’s capital oin Sunday, said China remains committed in supporting Malawi to achieve economic independence.

“We can see that after eight years’ of development of the bilateral relations, we are now entering a new stage of mutually beneficial cooperation. In this new stage, we will follow the general guideline defined at the China-Africa Cooperation Forum summit, and help Malawi enhance its ability of independent development, accelerate its industrialization process and achieve economic development in all areas,” the Chinese Foreign Minister said.

Wang metMalawi’s President Peter Mutharika and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation George Chaponda for talks.

Their talks centred on implementing the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit for China-Africa Cooperation, and aligning priorities for future cooperation.

Wang also said China is an ideal partner for Malawi.

“On the basis of Malawi’s political independence, China is ready to be the most reliable and the most ideal cooperation partner of Malawi in its process of really holding its economic destiny in its own hands,” he said.

Mutharika applauded the Chinese Government for playing a significant role in transforming Malawi’s socio-economic landscape since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 27th December, 2007.

Malawi, which depends on mostly Western donors to bankroll most of its development programs, has benefitted a lot of infrastructure development with support of the Chinese – of course most on long term loans.

Several Western donor nations are withholding aid to Malawi in reaction to a growing scandal over government graft known as Cashgate.

Notable projects that China has helped Malawi include the New Parliament building, Karonga-Chitipa –Road and Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) with a 80 million U.S. dollars loan. The university has been operating since 2014.

A national sports stadium will be opened in the capital Lilongwe this year.

China has also provided Malawi  a credit line of 25 million U.S. dollars in aid for which Lilongwe officials will propose a number of social projects, particularly the building of schools to tap the fund.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
11 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Donette
8 years ago

Good blog you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find high-quality writing like yours nowadays.
I honestly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

william
william
8 years ago

I f we can all derail from this African mentality of begging and dwelling on other people’s foundation,we will be much safer and free from all these mind boggling manipulations.Never expect any other country to solve problems on your behalf.Just man up and be innovative.

Cool K
Cool K
8 years ago

Something looks sour here. Look at the face. If there was a real pie we would have seen it in the faces. No smile… chill up!!!

2016 welcome
2016 welcome
8 years ago

There is nothing like free lunch.And to assert that China is better than the West is a clear manifestation of a lazy and ignorant brain. By the way, Magufuli of Tanzania has banned the use of fuel guzzling 4×4 vehicles in government. In fact the West remains the best model of development. That’s austerity by action. Isn’t that servant leadership?

Jimbo
Jimbo
8 years ago

China is only out for China. China doesn’t care about human rights, corruption or a country’s self-determinism. China’s ‘aid’ is also tied and is not given withy no strings attached. Beware the Chinese bearing gifts! European countries especially Britain have been helping Malawi for many years and are genuinely concerned with Malawi’s development as an independent country. They strive to promote democracy, unlike China which is definitely not democratic. The infra-structure provided by China is virtually non-existent – a sports arena, parliament building, Presidential Palace and Bingu this that and the other are not classed as infra – structure. The… Read more »

Mchekeni
Mchekeni
8 years ago

China is better than UsA or Britain. China has built Parliament,Bingu International Centre, Bingu five star hotel, Bingu National Stadium Guodji village in area 49. Presidential Villas along the Presidential road, the warm heart villas in Gulliver, Karonga-Chitipa road, Masauko Chipembere highway dual carriage among other infrastructures just in 8 years. Yet the Western countries have been in the country for over 50 years but there is no any infrastructure that one can point at. Let alone the American embassy is just a shack, so who is milking the thin cow between Western Donors and China? I would rather have… Read more »

Winston Msowoya
Winston Msowoya
8 years ago

The advice I learnt from one of my heroes while in exile Masauko Chipembere is that when you sign a trade pact with Asians particularly the Chisese,you must have your eyes open and your brains as sharp as a razor blade otherwise,you will sign your own death warrant.We have to realize that any pact or deal,each side is bent on acquiring a bigger stake there is no longer friendship on that line.Malawians will be stupid to wholly trust Chinese,first and foremost they are there to protect and defend the welfare of their people unlike African leaders who put self interests… Read more »

Ine Dabwi
Ine Dabwi
8 years ago

How is that economic independence if we have to count on China? What an interesting headline! Depend on China to gain your economic independence

Nyamakumutu
Nyamakumutu
8 years ago

Don’t be cheated by China here just check on Zimbabwe China is there and what s going on their. The Westen Countries have helped us for over 50 years in everyday to support our budget. You mean just the infrastructure projects we have from China can reduce the financial support from the west over these years just because they question the corrupt practices of our leaders. Muziwonanso.

All4ks
All4ks
8 years ago

Yes, you have sold to China our uranium behind our backs you dpp thieves in exchange for the so called reliable economic aid that benefits only the south.

You are happy with the Chinese because they don’t care about your poor governance and corruption. So tribalist chaponda unashamedly and proudly says “reliable” economic independence from China. Is this really economic independence? And he claims to be a learned man?

Read previous post:
Malawi leaders congratulate Mwawi for winning global Athlete of the Year Award

President Peter Mutharika and main opposition Malawi Congress Party's  (MCP) president Dr. Lazurus Chakwera on took to social media to...

Close